Statehouse Insider: Don't read too much into that hug

Sunday

Aug 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMAug 31, 2008 at 8:55 AM

Forget about BARACK OBAMA becoming the first African-American to win a major party nomination for president. Forget about HILLARY CLINTON’s unity speech. Forget about BILL CLINTON’s “Obama is qualified after all” speech.

Forget about BARACK OBAMA becoming the first African-American to win a major party nomination for president. Forget about HILLARY CLINTON’s unity speech. Forget about BILL CLINTON’s “Obama is qualified after all” speech.

The big news out of the Democratic National Convention last week was that arch-enemies Gov. ROD BLAGOJEVICH and House Speaker MICHAEL MADIGAN, D-Chicago, hugged. Hugged right there in front of a room full of Democrats and reporters.

Of course, this set off an immediate tizzy about whether the two have finally buried the hatchet somewhere other than in each others’ backs. Maybe, hopefully, but be skeptical.

Put things in perspective. They’re at the Democratic National Convention (in Denver, no less, where the thin air can do things to people). The media are on the alert for any sign of Illinois Democrats’ political wars spilling over to the convention. There’s a breakfast for the Illinois delegation. In a bizarre series of events, two other feuding sets of Illinois Democrats hug each other. Then the call goes out for Madigan and Blagojevich to do the same. Given all of that, what are they going to do, spit at each other?

It made for a good show, but the jury’s still out on whether it was anything more than that.

* As expected, Blagojevich last week rewrote an ethics bill that bans campaign contributions from big-time state contractors. Since he’s the only statewide official who still takes those contributions, you may surmise the bill was directed at him. You’d be correct.

Given that, Blagojevich just had to “improve” the bill, adding stuff to it that may very well kill it. To say the least, a lot of lawmakers are angry at Blagojevich for changing the bill. It literally took years to negotiate and finally pass, unanimously no less. In one fell swoop, the governor put all of that work in jeopardy.

If lawmakers are allowed to vote, they’ll reject Blagojevich’s changes and return the bill to its original form, and then it will become law, whether or not the governor likes it.

But the “if” is Senate President EMIL JONES, D-Chicago, who could single-handedly block a vote if that’s what his good buddy Blagojevich wants.

(Disclaimer: As we all know, there is absolutely, positively no link between contracts and contributions. The governor says so.)

Oddly, one change Blagojevich made is actually worthwhile and should be approved. He wants to change the goofy pay raise system for lawmakers so that they have to vote “yes” to approve a raise. There’d be no more of the nonsense where 80 percent of lawmakers can vote against a raise and it will still take effect. That system appeals to hypocrites in the General Assembly, but not too many others.

There’s been some bold talk this year about changing the pay raise system to make it more accountable. Blagojevich is on board. We’ll see if the lawmakers follow through.

* “Put a bib on him and put him in a high chair.”
— Rep. MONIQUE DAVIS, D-Chicago, after hearing that Blagojevich made changes to an ethics bill that could end up killing it.

“I think I am a great governor.”
— Blagojevich, suffering an episode of either hubris or delusional behavior.

“Land of Lincoln. We’re closed.”
— Rep. BILL BLACK, R-Danville, on what he thinks the motto ought to be on state license plates. Black said he will introduce a resolution making the change. He said that even before the state announced it was closing two dozen parks and historic sites because of budget cuts.

* Not all of the state’s Democrats were in Denver last week dealing with weighty political issues that will affect the nation’s future. One stayed here and judged a beauty contest for men in drag.

Oh, relax. It was for a good cause. The Tri-County fair in Rep. FRANK MAUTINO’s district holds a Miss Cancer Crew beauty contest spoof to raise money for the cancer society. Mautino, a Spring Valley Democrat, said the contest raises between $20,000 and $30,000.

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